WIFM Radio Station - 100.9

813 North Bridge Street
PO Box 1038
Elkin, North Carolina (NC) 28621

Email Address: info@wifmradio.com

Phone: 336-835-2511

Studio Line: 336-835-1233

Fax: 336-835-5248

We want to be your favorite Adult Contemporary, Family Friendly Radio station. Please feel free to contact us anytime!

WIFM's 60th Anniversary

60 Years & Still Going Strong

The history of WIFM is at least in part a history of FM radio. WIFM is one of the oldest FM stations in America today. Al Hinshaw thrust WIFM into a mostly empty FM band 1949. At that time almost no one had an FM radio, thus WIFM-AM was created in 1953.

Hinshaw sold WIFM in 1954 to Mr. Jim Childress, who started many of the stations in our region. In a 1999 interview, Mr. Childress spoke to me of his love for radio. "If I were a young man, I'd be out there again.,.. building stations, running them, and enjoying my time."

A high school student named Leon Reece began working part-time in 1953, first for Mr. Childress, then for Tri-County Broadcasting. For most of his WIFM tenure, Leo was General Manager, morning host, and eventually Secretary- Treasurer, and part owner. Leon will always be best remembered as the host of the pioneering early-morning talk show called "Open Mike."

Leon gave a start to many young broadcasters, including Barney Hall (of MRN Radio), the late Gary Dornburg (voice of the NC State Wolfpack), Alan Combs (former part owner and General Manager of WWWC Wilkesboro) and a young kid named Mike Walker. I began my career of 35 years and counting in 1974 thanks to Leon.

In 1995 WIFM was sold to FSA Broadcasting. The station was sold again in 1998 to Von Broadcastig, finally finding a home under the ownership of Yadkin Valley Broadcasting in 2003 with CEO Gary York a the helm.

This year WIFM celebrates its SIXTY YEARS! Happy Birthday WIFM, and thank you for allowing me to return briefly to participate in this celebration.

Sincerely,

Mike Walker
Owner/Operator: The Production Room
Host/Producer: "Saving the 70's"